Thrifty Thursday - Budget Pampering

This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I'm talking about de-stressing on a budget.

It's the time of year we all start to feel the stress coming on, big time. Maybe it's filling up heating supplies, maybe it's from the cost of back to school, or maybe you've got a major project due at work. How do you get rid of all that stress on a thrifty budget?

Head to your local library and check out a travel DVD or two from someplace you'd like to visit. Maybe it's Hawaii, maybe it's Fiji - the possibilities are endless! While you are there, you can also borrow many CDs to help you relax, too. Maybe you want to listen to some Celtic music, or one that contains gentle rainstorms - or maybe it's time to go in the opposite direction - and head towards some pop music for you to dance to at home.

A good foot soak while you watch TV can help whisk away your troubles. Epsom salt is a steal and can be had at your local dollar store - mix that with the hot water in an old bucket, or sit on the edge of the bath tub.

Speaking of the dollar store, there are mountains of treasures for you to find there. While some bath products can be incredibly artificial smelling, others may be just perfect. Look for relaxing scents such as rose, lavender and chamomile. You can find everything from pretty lotions, to bath salts, to even loofah sponges. Sometimes even just a simple whiff of your favorite scent can help melt away your tensions.

Sugar scrubs can cost a fortune, but they are very easy to make. Use 1/2 cup of sugar, mixed with enough olive or coconut oil that it's moist, but not soaking. Rub on your skin. (And the plus is that it is very environmentally friendly too!)

Write away your stress using a journal or an old notebook (tis the season for scoring cheap notebooks!) You can write about your day, telling yourself that once you've written it down in the evenings, it's over until you get up the following morning. Or write lists such as your bucket lists - or even get started on that book you know you've always wanted to write.

Most of all, make sure you let yourself relax - that alone is free! :)